Game-board.



Patented Sept. l6,-l902.

PMC709 155.

J E. JOHNSTON.

-GAHE BOARD. (Application filed Dec. 21., 1901.]

(No Model.)

nnmmnmi UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN E. JOHNSTON, OF TRIMBLE, OHIO.

GAME-BOARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 709,155,.dated September 16, 1902.

Application filed December 21 1901. Serial No. 86,802. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I,JOHN E. JOHNSTON,a citizen of the United States, residing at Trimble, in the county of Athens and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Game-Board, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates togame-boards.

The object of the invention is to provide a game-board having inclosures disposed thereon and a circular inclosure in the center,which is provided with a suitable closure to prevent the playing-pieces contained therein from being shifted about or lost when the board is not in use or when it is packed for shipment.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings rep--' resents a perspective view of this improved game-board, showing the closure for the central inclosnre detached and in position ready to be placed thereover. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal vertical section of the board with the closure in place over the central inclosure.

The same reference-numerals indicate corresponding parts in both the figures.

A board of any desired shape may be employed, and in the form illustrated a square board is shown. A square field is inclosed on the board 10 by four strips, as 21, which are disposed on their edges and cemented or otherwise attached to the board. These strips are not joined together at the corners of the field, but have a space left between, forming four openings 22, 23, 24, and at the respective corners. Opening from these corners of the field 20 are four inclosures or pens 26, 27, 28, and 29, which are preferably made in the form of an open circle or split ring having their opposite ends connected to the adjacent ends of the strips,as 21. An open circular inclosure' or pen is formed in'the center of the field 20 and has its mouth or opening-31 disposed opposite one of the strips, as 21. Another open circular pen 40 of smaller diameter is formed inside the pen 30 and has its opening or mouth 41 disposed diametrically opposite the mouth 31 of the pen 30. The space between the pens 30 and 40 forms a raceway for the pigs or playing-pieces. A top or closure is provided for the middle pen 4:0 in the form of a circular fiat plate 60, having a downwardly-extending annular rim 61, which is adapted to fit over and frictionally engage the outer face of the pen 40. This cover is preferably provided with an outwardly-extending annular flange 62, having the upper face thereof beveled.

When the game is not in use or when it is desired to ship it, the playing-pieces are all placed in the center pen 4:0, and the cover 60 is placed thereover, so that they are kept safely, and shifting about thereof in the field is avoided and the noise incident thereto. The directions for playing the game may be printed and glued to the upper face of the top 60, or they may be printed directly thereon.

In playing the game fifteen playing-pieces are preferably used,which are in the form of different-colored marbles, being divided into five groups, three of each color. Three of one color are placed in the middle pen 40, and the other four kinds are to beput in the several corner-pens, and only one color must be in a pen. This is accomplished by moving the board about without touching the pigs. Any color maybe put into any pen; but they must not be mixed. lVhen the game is won, there are three pigs of the same color in each of the corner-pens and three in the center pen.

I claim as my invention- A game-board comprisinga horizontal base, side and end strips'secnred to the upper face of the base and forming an approximately rectangular inclosure or field and spaced from the edges of the base, said strips being also spaced apart at their ends to form corner-openings, the exterior curved strips mounted on the base beyond the said field or inclosure and connecting the ends of the side and end strips and forming circular corner-pens,and the concentric pens arranged at the center of the field and consisting of strips secured to the base and having their ends spaced apart to form openings, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN E. JOHNSTON.

Witnesses:

J. C. HEADLEY, G. J. FIEROE. 

